New CPD arrangements for specialty registrants welcomed by the AOP

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) welcomes the announcement by the General Optical Council (GOC) that registrants with a specialty, such as contact lens opticians and optometrists with prescribing rights, will now be able to obtain points in the specialty domain through self-directed Continuing Professional Development (CPD), following a review of the scheme.

The change allows learning relevant to professional practice from sources other than GOC-approved CPD providers, such as reading a relevant article, lecturing, or supervising a colleague, count towards registrants’ total points.

Dr Ian Beasley, Head of Education at the AOP, said: “We are pleased to see the GOC implement this long-awaited change that will give specialty registrants improved flexibility in gaining CPD points from activities that directly apply to their professional practice. This increased scope for qualifying education opportunities will undoubtedly benefit practitioners with a speciality as we approach the final year of this cycle.”

Registrants can claim points for activities completed at any stage of the current CPD cycle on MyCPD as self-directed specialty points.

Each piece of self-directed CPD is worth up to one point, with the exception of registrant-led peer review, which is worth three points.

The GOC also confirmed that, following a review, contact lens opticians will be able to participate in peer review with optometrists, in line with the CPD rules.

Optometry Today offers provider-led CPD for registrants. For more information, visit: www.optometry.co.uk/cpd

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For more information, please contact Anjola Sulaiman, PR and Media Executive, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2062.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing over 80% of practising optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Optometry Today

Optometry Today (OT) has a readership of over 17,700 AOP members and subscribers in print and online. The OT ABC audit certificate is available online: www.abc.org.uk/product/5966-optometry-today. OT’s website offers daily news, interviews and in-depth features and analysis, plus exclusive access to over 42 CPD exams per year, including bi-monthly CPD video content. For more information, visit www.optometry.co.uk